May 18, 1864.
Our division has had the advance to-day, but no infantry
fighting. At noon we get into Adairsville and meet the 4th Army Corps. Saw
Generals Howard, Thomas, Sickles and a hundred others. We are camped five miles
southwest of town and by the prettiest place I ever saw. The house is
excellent, the grounds excel in beauty anything I ever imagined. The occupants
have run away. Our cavalry had a sharp fight here this p. m., and on one of the
gravel walks in the beautiful garden lies a Rebel colonel, shot in five places.
He must have been a noble looking man; looks 50 years old, and has a fine form
and features. Think his name is Irwin. I think there must be a hundred
varieties of the rose in bloom here and the most splendid specimens of cactus.
I do wish you could see it. At Adairsville, night before last, we lost 400
killed and wounded in a skirmish.
Nine a. m. —
Rapid artillery firing on our left front. We are waiting for Osterhaus and
Morgan L. Smith to get out of the way. Our division has the rear to-day. Our
cars got into Adairsville yesterday evening and the last Rebel train left in
the morning. Firing on the left very heavy.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 243-4
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